Police crackdown on drink and drug driving offences

MORE than 100 people in Warwickshire have been arrested for driving under the influence in December.

A month-long winter drink drive campaign was carried out by Warwickshire Police and West Mercia in a bid to stop drivers getting behind the wheel after having a drink or taking drugs.

Between 2012 and 2014 some 14 people were killed and more than 180 seriously injured in collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor.

Safer Roads Partnership spokesperson, Vicki Bristow said: “It is encouraging that most motorists that have been stopped during the course of the campaign have been under the drink drive limit and we’d like to thank those people that have co-operated with roadside checks that have been taking place.

“However, from the results seen so far, there are obviously still people out there who feel they can gamble with drinking and driving, think they know how much the limit is or simply just don’t care or think they are not going to be caught.

“The simple fact is there is only one way of being sure that you are safe to drive and that is not to drink at all.

“Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. We would ask people to consider other options when out drinking over the New Year: public transport, taxis and using designated drivers are easy to arrange – drinking and driving simply isn’t worth the risk.”

Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police Supt Daryn Elton was keen to remind drivers how alcohol and drugs affect a person’s ability to judge speed and distances accurately and also slows down reaction time.

One driver was found to be five times over the legal limit – the highest figure recording during the campaign.

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